Summer

After a crazy month of June, full of family...graduation...party...family...birthdays...family...graduation...party, I have had a chance to RELAX. By that I mean sleep in and actually go to the gym at 8:00AM (when the sun is actually up) instead of 5:00.

I have had a couple weeks of teaching in-services and attending them. We had a chance to hang out with Martina and his girlfriend Kathryn on the 4th over at NSB. A friend at Bootcamp asked me last week what I have been doing this summer with my time... Mmm totally getting "Zen" reading some great books, laying out, shopping, cooking good dinners, and finishing up some projects on the house. It has been blissful, and I really will feel relaxed in 3 WEEKS (yes 3) when I go back to school.

BUT the best part is that I still have our vacay to CALI coming up. Here we come Napa & Sonoma! Talk about relaxing. We are so excited for our "2nd honeymoon" as Brian likes to call it (only because he is trying to get some deals from people). So I'll have much more to post in a couple weeks!

So I know my "glory days" are over because it is Friday night, Friday Night Lights is over, and now Brian is watching the US Open. Yawn. So I was like... "what do I do?" Blog of course. Now what to blog about? Oh wait, just look at the TV and get inspiration. I realized we have some great pictures from Pebble Beach, and why not share in honor of the Open?

So these lovely pics are from Thanksgiving Day on our honeymoon. We headed south for lunch at Pebble Beach. As we drove down the Pacific Coast Highway... Brian was all "Look out the window. The cliffs and beach look awesome from up here." and I was all "Don't you remember who you married five days ago? I hate driving, heights, and am having slight panic attacks every time you make me look!"

Needless to say, we survived the drive and had a great afternoon. Now I can watch the Open and act all cool because I have been there!
Pebble Beach Golf Course 18th hole

Cypress Point

18th hole

Brian took one of Tiger's locker too. But you know he was having his own issues on Thanksgiving Day...and because of all those issues, I have no need to post his locker picture with Bobby Jones.

locker room

BBQ's and Birthdays

It's been another couple of busy weeks. Brian was gone for a whole week for work and play. He went to Vegas on business trip the week before Memorial Day. Brian was there until Wednesday of that week. Lucky boy! He had a lot of fun, and a chance to go out with our friend, Joey and his girlfriend Kerry. Next time I am going to tag along for that business trip. After that he was off for his yearly boys golf outing with his dad, brother, and uncle. Three days, thirty six holes... needless to say he was a bit tired when he returned. Meanwhile I was busy working trying to get ready for the end of school (one of the busiest times of year). I did get to go down to Melbourne and Vero Beach with Kylie, and it was a nice relaxing time.

Happy 52nd birthday to my Dad! We had the fam over for a BBQ to celebrate. My Grandma was able to fly down and be with us for his day, and for Dalton's graduation. We had a fun time sitting around outside and catching up. We also got a chance to look at some great pictures of the past...like the one to the left. Gotta love Dad rocking the 'stache!




Relaxing outside

Grandma's got Prada! Styling at 82

Dad opening gifts

Grandma's fav newlyweds

Pretty Set-up

Memorial weekend with Kylie! Lots of fun Vero Beach Club

Happy 21st Birthday to my sister! Today she finally becomes the age I know she has waited a long time for. Words of wisdom...enjoy these days and don't try to grow up too fast!

Also a Happy 18th Birthday to my brother! His big day was Monday. What a special time for him. He graduates from high school next week, and will soon be off to experience college! Can I switch places with him? Enjoy all your fun festivities.

Tonight's dinner!

Tonight I tried something new by using a Moroccan shrimp recipe and adding some lettuce wraps. Brian loved it, and it was still enough to fill him up!


Moroccan Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
- jumbo shrimp (shell off)
-2 teaspoons cumin
-1 teaspoon of ground ginger
-1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 garlic cloves
-coarse sea salt and ground pepper
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper
-head of lettuce
-Greek yogurt
-1 lemon juiced
-mixed bag of stir fry
(I use an organic mix that comes ready w/ broccoli, snap peas, and slaw)

Heat oil in saute pan. Add the cumin, ginger, paprika, and cayenne and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the shrimp, garlic, and good pinch of salt. Cook stirring for a minute. Squeeze the juice of the lemon and half cup of water. Add stir fry mix and cover for a couple minutes.

Dressing:
Meanwhile mix 1 tablespoon of greek yogurt with lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of cumin. Mix and then dash cinnamon in and mix again.

Place shrimp in lettuce wrap and top with dressing

May

Only sixteen days into May, and it has been packed full! I think today has been the first day I have been able to actually sit outside and catch some rays. It has been packed full of family, and we are blessed to have been able to see so many close to us recently. My cousin Erin and her family came down to visit Disney for a week. We were able to see them along with my Aunt Vickie a couple times, and had a great time catching up. Erin is expecting her third little one soon, and I know it will be just as adorable as her two girls are now! Then what can I say 2010, is the year to graduate! Megan and Melissa both graduated last weekend from college! Yay for them :) Todd graduated law school yesterday, and the Cooper -Hall clan was all together to celebrate his great accomplishment. We are all so proud of him! In a couple weeks it will be Dalton's turn to graduate from high school and head out to college.

On to other fun news... we finally booked our vacation today for the summer, and I have 17 days left of school! So ready for a nice break.


Todd's law school graduation



The Pfaff Family visits!

So adorable!

cousins!